Here are the stories of two fascinating political utopias from Tennessee’s history, both inspired and created by famous writers with their own ideas of Utopia: the Rugby Colony and the Ruskin Collective.

This is the second installment on Utopias in Tennessee, past and present, this time on Black Utopias. We'll explore the fascinating histories of African Americans in Tennessee who sought a promised land where they could have freedom, their own properties, businesses, schools and churches, and live safely away from violent racism. Here are the stories of three Black Utopias in Tennessee with very different beginnings and outcomes: Free Hill(s), Nashoba and Promise Land.

Tennessee has a fascinating history of Utopian Societies, past and present.  In this beautiful part of the world many dreams have been thought possible, but often scandal and tragedy led to their demise.  Let’s explore what some of these utopias were about, why some ultimately fell apart, and why a few still survive to this day.